Album review on 30 Music
POSTED BY Joshua ON 1/19/0930music.com review (8.1/10) http://www.30music.com/rev.php?rev=2674&mode=
Category: Music
Western Fifth have released a dark, powerful debut full-length by the name of Stand Like a Thief, complete with 12 tracks to sink into and enjoy. A relaxed, steady progression reminiscent of contemplative minds is present through the album, which can most simply be described as country. There are no fast tempos present, but this isn't to say it lacks dynamics. Ranging from delicate, quiet acoustic to a full-band blast, it leaves nothing to be desired.
Among the album's finest qualities is its tendency to take its time and develop the music, until every last ounce of meaning can be squeezed out of it and absorbed by the listener. The tracks don't end until they've completed this, which (pleasantly) leads to songs slightly above average length that are a touch more enjoyable to hear than they would otherwise be.
In terms of music, the album is cleverly put together. Acoustic guitars provide the meat of the sound while bass and drums lend rhythmic support and an electric guitar wails out melodies above it all. The piano and fiddle also make appearances to embellish the songs acoustically. However, one shortcoming comes in Western Fifth's vocals; they seem frail and under-supported at times, and as such don't blend as well as they could with the accompanying instrumentation. Unfortunately, at times they also fall short on doing justice to the content of the song.
Which leads to the best part of Stand Like a Thief: lyrics that are beautiful, sadly poetic, and assume an almost existential air. Heartbreak, loneliness, and death are frequent themes, the last of which strikes in a particularly disconcerting and enthralling track toward the very end of the album. Entitled "I Will Keep You Warm," the song details the narrator's murder of his girlfriend on account of feelings of love that were too fervent for him to suppress. Dark and perverse, the lyrics represent how the strong, direct method of songwriting can still be artistic and emotionally powerful.
And if there were to be any doubt that the album's messages dealt with the ending of life, the repetition of the lyrics "then we die" many times at the ends of both the first and the last tracks should serve to reassure, and also create an excellent sense of closure, tying the compilation of songs neatly together. Overall, the album is an impressive work, presenting forceful, personal emotions through a sound best described as well-developed country.
